Chapter 52: Are You Going Back to the Beginning?
"The rose garden was sprayed with the tears of the little tiger. Pen Fun Pavilion wWw. ο½iqugeγ ο½ο½foβ
The front page of the Portland Honest Man read: "We broke his heart." He always smiled at the fans, always did his best on the court to win, and he brought endless positive energy and countless images to the Trail Blazers. But now... Our management is actively peddling him. β
"The City of Tears will continue to tear apart. β
Champagne is something to celebrate a victory, and the Blazers did score a rare victory, and made it three in a row.
But when Little Tiger led all the players to spray champagne in the center of the arena, Oregon fans felt only the sadness that permeated the entire city.
The next afternoon, instead of accompanying the team to the visitors, Zhou Zheng stayed in Portland and told Dan Williams that he had a cold.
Also catching a cold were Darius Myers and Zach Randolph.
No one has asked why they caught a cold at the same time, maybe it was the champagne rain.
Larry Miller was sad at this time, the Lakers sent a new trade statement in the early morning, they took Andrew Bynum off the trade list, they just took out Lamar Odom and Grant, and Kupchak's tone changed very obviously...... We're willing to give you draft picks and cash, and Grant's expiring contract, plus a garbage contract that eats you, Ratliffe and Margloyle, we can all accept it, and Darius Myers welcomes it.
"It's robbery. β
Patterson was angry on the spot and said, "They're just kidding us." β
Larry Miller is deep thinking, Lamar Odom must have no problem with the integration of Brandon Roy, and he can be inside and out, and he is an elite player in the league. But... His value is obviously not enough to trade the little tiger.
"They're willing to eat our junk contracts, though. Larry Miller said, "Actually... The deal is operational. β
"So, do you have to sell the little tigers?" Patterson asked rhetorically, "You know, this is only his second season, he's become a veritable All-Star, he's not just an elite player." β
"Do you think Tiger is going to stay in Portland after this incident? Last Wednesday, he spilled half a glass of red wine in my office, and last night, he sprayed champagne on every floor on the home court. Larry Miller's emotions were very out of control: "We messed everything up. β
Patterson glanced helplessly at his old partner.
Things have come to this point irretrievably, even if Zhou Zheng is left for the time being, as soon as the contract expires, he still has to go. When a player is so broken that he wants to heal it again, it's even harder.
"I need a little time to think about it. β
Larry Miller replied to Kupchak.
At this time, Zhou Zheng's small room was full of sponsor representatives.
The big battle caused by the pioneers even alarmed the landlord, he said that if Zhou Zheng can still stay, he is willing to reduce the rent for the next six months, he swore to Zhou Zheng on the phone in the name of God, he told Zhou Zheng that their whole family is a fan of Little Tiger, and they hope that Zhou Zheng can stay.
However, this is not what Zhou Zheng can understand. He couldn't even pinpoint where he would be next, and although he didn't want to go to the Lakers, he ...... Who knows? The contract says a trade margin, and there is no option to trade the veto.
"I hate this business alliance. β
Zhou Zheng told Adidas' vice president, Merkel, who also signed him: "I enjoyed my time at Stanford. β
"But... If you stay there, you won't see the picture of the people who are all in the house. Look, behind everyone here is a Fortune 500 company. Merkel smiled and said: "Mature a little, my little tiger, money is a good thing, face it, accept it, and enjoy it!"
The sponsor representative next to him was also smiling and persuading.
For the sponsors, they are very happy to see Zhou being traded to Los Angeles. They came to Portland in person under the convening of Lin Wanwan, and they brought Zhou Zheng a variety of detailed business statements and future plans, and they told Zhou Zheng that once Zhou Zheng went to a big market like Los Angeles, his annual income would double!!
"But I don't want to be an assistant at all. Zhou Zheng said to Merkel very seriously: "Do you want me to go to Los Angeles to be the second leader?"
"Why not?" Merkel shrugged: "The most important thing you need to improve now is your offensive skills, there is no better teacher in the league than Kobe, you will grow rapidly by his side." And, two years later, you're a complete free agent. When the time comes, you can choose to sign with any team, or, by that time, you'll already be the boss of the Lakers. Who knows? Kobe Bryant is almost 28 years old, and you're 42 days away from your 21st birthday. β
"......" Zhou Zheng was silent.
Nearby, a Givenchy representative was already explaining how much exposure Los Angeles would bring as the fashion capital of North America, saying that the company had a comprehensive packaging plan in place and would even have Zhou Zheng on the red carpet at the Grammys.
For these sponsors, the commercial value of Los Angeles is much greater than that of Portland.
"We don't have much money in our bank accounts. Lin Wanwan walked over and said very calmly: "At least in... In Los Angeles, you have to pay extra rent. β
Her words surprised the sponsor representatives at the scene, they calculated Zhou Zheng's endorsement income plus the copyright fee of the album songs, and the annual income before tax was close to 100 million US dollars, but they were still worried about the rent?
How many checks did this kid throw into Silicon Valley?
Merkel looked at Zhou Zheng dumbfounded.
Zhou Zheng spread his hands.
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Zhou Zheng was a little bit of a surrender: "If it is determined that it was traded to Los Angeles, I am willing to go for a medical examination." β
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Merkel waved her fist excitedly, and then the room full of sponsor representatives began to high-five and start celebrating!!
Zhou Zheng looked at them speechlessly.
The Los Angeles Lakers are no strangers to him, and in fact, Kobe Bryant has already hooked up with him when he played at Stanford. On the night of the draft, Zhou Zheng even dreamed of wearing a purple and gold robe, but in the end, he accidentally arrived in the torn city and started a different life.
"So, is it time to go back to square one again?"
Zhou Zheng muttered in his heart.
β¦β¦ (To be continued.) )